Campaigns

You can make your voice heard by getting involved in a campaign to end youth incarceration in your state. Here are current campaigns:

CONNECTICUT

In 2015, Governor Malloy announced plans to close to close the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS). The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance (CTJJA) is spearheading advocacy efforts to ensure that the state replaces CJTS with a comprehensive continuum of mostly community-based programs for youth and their families. Contact: www.ctjja.org.

KANSAS

Kansans United for Youth Justice played an important role in advancing far-reaching legislation to reduce youth incarceration and invest in community alternatives. The coalition is working to monitor implementation of the legislation and build a strong statewide voice for continued reforms. Contact: www.kansansunitedforyouthjustice.org

NEW JERSEY

Youth Justice New Jersey is a large and growing coalition of advocacy, legal and direct service organizations committed to reducing the number youth who come in contact with the system and diverting those who do, reducing the incarceration of youth, and improving conditions for youth in the system. Contact: www.youthjusticenj.org

VIRGINIA

RISE (Re-invest in Supportive Environments) for Youth is a nonpartisan campaign of youth, families, and community organizations that successfully advocated for re-investment of funding from the closure of youth prisons in Virginia into community-based programs and placements for youth. The campaign is urging the state to continue to expand effective community treatment rather than build new prisons. Contact: www.riseforyouth.org.

WISCONSIN

Youth Justice Milwaukee is a broad-based campaign advocating for the creation of community-based, family-centered, restorative programs as an alternative to locking up children in Wisconsin prisons. YJM is seeking to close the Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake and Mendota youth prisons and reinvest in community programs that build true safety for Milwaukee. Contact: www.youthjusticemke.org

Don’t see your state listed? Check out our Resources for ideas and tips to start a campaign in your state.

State Campaigns

You can make your voice heard by getting involved in a campaign to end youth incarceration in your state.